COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONThe lower gravity cousin to Rochefort 10. Nicknamed "Spéciale" (’The Special’), this beer is the most recent production. The Rochefort 8 has a more tawny colour and a more pronounced aroma, with an even richer fruitiness (a slight undertone of fig?) and a little more spiced dryness, like that of a cake, which gives a balanced finish to the final notes.

UPDATED: MAR 30, 2013 Large, thick head with thick rings of lacing and sediment at the bottom. Aroma of dark purple and red fruits like grapes, raisins, cherries, cranberries, and apples. Flavor is all of the aforementioned along with bready malts. ABV incredibly well-hidden as with #10 - no burn despite being over 9%! Rochefort is incredible with this. Only complaint - a bit too much acid. Otherwise, smooth and well-balanced. Reminds me of a better version of Brother Thelonius by North Coast - a fine beer in its own right. Basically, this is almost as good as their legendary 10. SECOND TASTING NOTES: Not as much acid this time. Drinking it slightly warmer. Tasting more brown sugar and molasses. Butterscotch and caramel, too, including in the aroma. Carbonation is very high - like soda bubbles on the mouth at first. This is so tasty - 9% ABV is well-hidden.

Pours an effervescent cherry wood color with full finger of loose beige head that diminishes to a thin milky substance that clings to the surface. Musty yeast aroma with notes of cloves, sourdough, and dark fruits. Excellent taste of spiced rum, caramel maltiness, cherries, and marzipan. Creamy texture with dry finish. Nicely balanced.

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